The invention relates to a method on a computing device comprising: displaying in a display area graphical objects, this display area comprising a structured text section with text objects and block sections with text or non-text objects; locating an initiation point from which starts a user selection gesture; determining a selection path forming a selection area; and selecting each graphical object contained within the selection area. If the initiation point is located in the structured text section, a first mode may be selected thereby allowing the selection path to be drawn in the display area to select any graphical object. If the initiation point is located within a target block section among the block sections, a second mode may be selected, thereby confining the selection path within the target block section.